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Workforce Florida Weekly Update 6-20-07 |
CONTENTS The State & RegionsGovernor Crist Announces Florida Climate Change Summit and California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger as Keynote Speaker ~ ‘Serve to Preserve’ Summit Web site launched. TALLAHASSEE – Governor Charlie Crist Monday announced California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger as a keynote speaker at Florida’s global climate change summit. The two-day conference will be held in Miami, July 12-13, 2007, at the Intercontinental Miami Hotel. Governor Crist invited interested individuals, organizations and media to register for the conference at www.MyFloridaClimate.com. “At Florida’s climate change summit, we will begin working on a plan to explore groundbreaking technologies and strategies that will place our state at the forefront of the growing world-wide movement to reduce greenhouse gases,” Governor Crist said. “Governor Schwarzenegger is a tremendous champion of this cause, and I am honored that he will lend his expertise as we explore ways to overcome this monumental challenge.” "I applaud Governor Crist for facilitating this important discussion on one of the biggest problems facing our nation and world: global climate change. He is demonstrating the bold leadership necessary to achieve real reductions in greenhouse gas emissions,” said Governor Schwarzenegger. “Our states can serve as a model for the rest of the country by fostering the development of new technologies and industries that expand markets, create new jobs and reduce energy dependence while protecting our environment. States cannot wait any longer; we must take action." The Serve to Preserve Florida Summit on Global Climate Change will bring together policy makers, academics, scientists, environmentalists and the business community to discuss the impact of climate change in Florida. These experts will help develop best practices related to alternative fuels and emission standards. The group's strongest recommendations will help shape procedures for state agencies and future legislation. Individuals and media interested in attending the summit can register at www.MyFloridaClimate.com. “I believe global climate change is one of the most important issues that we will face this century,” Governor Crist said. “With almost 1,200 miles of coastline and the majority of our citizens living near that coastline, Florida is more vulnerable to rising ocean levels and violent weather patterns than any other state.” At the opening of the 2007 Legislative Session in March, Governor Crist announced Florida’s climate change summit during his State of the State Address. In April, Governor Crist joined the Stop Global Warming Virtual March sponsored by www.StopGlobalWarming.org and met with Laurie David and Sheryl Crow at the University of Florida to discuss his environmental priorities. In May, he announced Florida's participation with 30 other states, including California, as charter members of The Climate Registry, the largest multi-state effort to address climate change. About California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger: In 2006, Governor Schwarzenegger signed landmark bipartisan legislation to reduce California's greenhouse gas emissions. His leadership in creating a greener environment also includes establishing the California Hydrogen Highway and Million Solar Roofs Plan. The Hydrogen Highway will develop a network of hydrogen fueling stations along California’s 21 interstate freeways and in the urban centers that they connect, so that by 2010, every Californian will have access to hydrogen fuel, with a significant and increasing percentage produced from clean, renewable sources. The Million Solar Roofs Initiative rewards the installation of solar electric systems in new and existing residential and commercial sites and will lead to one million solar roofs in California by 2018. Florida to Receive over $318 Million in Federal Assistance for Recovery from the 2005 Hurricane Season ~ President Bush approves 100 percent federal match ~ Reimburses state and local funds, covers future recovery projects. TALLAHASSEE – Governor Charlie Crist Monday announced that Florida will receive over $318 million in federal assistance to fund recovery efforts from the 2005 Hurricane Season. The federal legislation authorizes the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to pay the entire cost of certain hurricane recovery projects. “This supplemental funding will encourage the people of Florida,” said Governor Charlie Crist. “I am grateful to President Bush, the Florida Congressional Delegation, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency for addressing this critical issue.” After the 2005 Hurricane Season, FEMA set the match requirement between federal and non-federal (state and local) funds at 90/10 for Hurricane Wilma and 75/25 for Hurricanes Dennis and Katrina. House Resolution 2206, recently signed by President Bush, eliminates the cost share for these storms. FEMA will reimburse $151 million for recovery funding already contributed by the State of Florida and local governments. Additionally, FEMA will cover 100 percent of recovery projects yet to be completed – saving Florida $167 million. “We are pleased to be able to recoup these vital funds,” said Director Craig Fugate of the Florida Division of Emergency Management. “Many communities are still recovering from the 2005 storms so every dollar helps tremendously.” FEMA has committed over $1.6 billion for Florida’s recovery from the 2005 Hurricane Season. For more information on federal disaster programs, please visit www.fema.gov. To learn more about hurricane preparedness, please visit www.floridadisaster.org. Florida’s May Unemployment Rate Remains Steady at 3.4 Percent ~ Education and Health Services Sectors lead Florida’s job growth. TALLAHASSEE – Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation (AWI) Director Monesia T. Brown announced Florida’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for May 2007 was 3.4 percent, unchanged from the previous month. In May, job growth was lead by education and health services sectors, with most of that growth in health services. Based on the latest nationwide data, Florida had the lowest unemployment rate of the ten most populous states and continued to be below the national average. The comparable national unemployment rate for May was 4.5 percent. “Governor Crist has emphasized the importance of a highly skilled workforce to ensure Florida’s continued economic prosperity,” said Monesia T. Brown, Director of AWI. “As Florida’s population continues to age, the demand for health services professionals is expanding. Addressing the growing need for highly-skilled workers in this industry is critical to our continued success. Through partnerships like the Employ Florida Banner Center for Health Sciences, we can continue to strengthen our workforce and secure our future.” Announced in March, the Employ Florida Banner Center for Health Sciences was developed in partnership with AWI, Workforce Florida and Valencia Community College. One of ten new centers statewide used to expand training opportunities in industries critical to Florida’s economic growth, the Center ensures a steady supply of skilled health care professionals in Florida. The Employ Florida Banner Centers bring together the combined resources of education, workforce development, economic development and businesses to develop industry-specific skills training. The Employ Florida Banner Center for Health Sciences is based at Valencia Community College; major partners include Lake-Sumter Community College, Seminole Community College, University of Central Florida, Workforce Central Florida and the Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission. Florida’s Labor Market at a Glance (Seasonally Adjusted):
Access the full release at: http://www.labormarketinfo.com/library/press/release.pdf. Florida’s Housing Market Suffers Setback (Newswise 6/18/07). Florida’s housing market, thought to be stabilizing earlier this year, deteriorated in the latest quarterly survey conducted by the University of Florida, a situation likely brought on by uneasiness about lending practices, insurance rates and the state’s property tax structure. “Like the graying skies over the state tainted by drought-driven brush fires, the mood for Florida real estate has grown more somber since January,” said Wayne Archer, director of UF’s Bergstrom Center for Real Estate Studies. “Perhaps the implications of the subprime ‘meltdown’ are creating a disquieting haze; perhaps anxiety over property taxes and high insurance rates are shrouding Florida’s otherwise sunny outlook. In any case, there are few signs of improvement.” Whereas the advice from the January survey to Florida’s hopeful home buyers was to act immediately in buying single-family residential housing, Archer now said he could be positive only about the prospects for buying newly built homes. The outlook for existing single-family housing is more pessimistic, and things look even worse for condos, according to the latest survey conducted in April of 306 industry executives, real estate lawyers, market analysts, title insurers, financial advisers, market research economists, appraisers and other experts in the field. But Archer also cautioned that unforeseen circumstances sometimes cause the market to improve. “Those of us who have watched markets for a long time realize the picture can change rather dramatically in a short period of time if something allows people to sell their house more quickly, such as a change in the property tax situation or a sudden improvement in the economy,” he said. In any case, prospective buyers are on solid ground when it comes to new construction, Archer said. Access the complete article at: http://www.newswise.com/p/articles/view/530911/. CLM Workforce Connection Reorganization Appointments. CLM Workforce Connection has realigned their business structure to meet the needs of the shifting labor market and to execute a new regional industry cluster strategy. Margaret Spontak, an Ocala native, was recently appointed Senior Vice President of Business Development to lead the newly appointed Business Development Team. During the organization’s restructure, Senior Vice President Kathleen Woodring was promoted to Chief Operating Officer. Woodring, a 10-year administrator at CLM Workforce Connection, led the planning and research which created the new strategy. Woodring assumes responsibility for the organization’s program and support functions and One Stop Center services. Spontak left her position as Assistant Director for the University of Florida Leadership Development Institute to assume the position this month. During her three year stint at UF, she designed leadership development programs for some of Florida’s largest corporations including Citicard’s North American IT Division, Publix Supermarkets’ Facilities Division, First American, Rayonier and Haskell Corporation. Prior to leaving for Gainesville, she served as Executive Director for Corporate and Continuing Education at Central Florida Community College. The Workforce Board partnered with Spontak during her time at CFCC on two targeted sector grants in information technology and manufacturing bringing approximately $1 million in training revenues into the region. She was also the architect for the Regional Great Places to Work Project supported by CLM Workforce Connection and involving 52 companies in the three county region. The project received a national workforce award. CEO Rusty Skinner said, “Margaret has the necessary skills in training and development, strategic planning, grant writing and community partnership building to successfully lead our newly restructured business development services.” Four Industry Specialists focusing on each of the targeted clusters, and a Community Relations Manager were selected to serve on the Business Development Team with Spontak. The four clusters are led by the following Industry Specialists:
TAMPA Bay Tops Competing Regions In Job Growth And Low Unemployment Rates (from Suncoast Workforce Board’s Developments Newsletter – 6/18/07). The Tampa Bay Partnership-Center for Business Intelligence released its third edition of the Regional Economic Scorecard, a report intended to provide an unbiased assessment of how the Tampa Bay region is doing in five key economic driver categories: Employment and Workforce; Income and Productivity; Housing; Innovation; and Education. Counties included in this study were Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk and Sarasota counties. The indicators and competitor regions in the study were based on regional competitiveness and not based on an outcome expectation. Comparison regions chosen to benchmark against Tampa Bay were Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas, Jacksonville, and Raleigh-Durham. Four key points were identified as most important by Gwen Mitchell, Chair of the Tampa Bay Partnership: 1) job creation continues to be strong but has slowed slightly, especially in construction; 2) education ranks as a competitive advantage; 3) wages lag behind competitive regions; and 4) housing affordability is still problematic while housing growth returns to pre-boom levels. While Raleigh-Durham was ranked number one overall in the study, Tampa Bay ranked number two behind Raleigh-Durham in the Employment/Workforce and Education categories. The Tampa Bay Partnership is a regional organization focused on stimulating economic growth and development in the Tampa Bay area via corporate relocation and business expansion. The organization collaborates with seven counties and three metropolitan service areas with several key cities and is recognized as the convener of leaders on regional economic development issues. Both the Manatee Economic Development Council and the Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County are members. For more information about the Tampa Bay Partnership, visit: www.tampabay.org. WORKFORCE CENTRAL FLORIDA Awards More Than $110,000 In Employed Worker Training Grants In May. ORLANDO, FL …WORKFORCE CENTRAL FLORIDA (WCF) awarded more than $110,000 in Employed Worker Training (EWT) awards to local employers in May 2007. The employed worker training awards were given to a total of 24 local businesses and will assist in the payment for professional training of 627 employees. The businesses that received awards invested $336,054 in their own resources towards these trainings. Among those that received awards include:
Changes to employed worker training grants have resulted in more flexibility. The EWT program is designed to provide financial assistance to employers that recognize the importance of investing in their employees. At their board meeting on June 13th, the WCF Board of Directors voted to make some changes to the EWT program to include: Employers may now apply for up to $50,000 a year, and up to $100,000 a year in targeted industries (healthcare, manufacturing, and math/science K-12 education). This is a 100% increase from last year’s application limit. Soft skills training (ESOL, supervisory training, critical thinking, time management) may now be funded under the grant in addition to training that leads to industry certifications, for employees who qualify under a working families definition. Employees trained under the grant can now earn up to $25.00 per hour, increased from last year’s $41,696/year wage to allow for greater flexibility in meeting employers training needs. Grants may pay for 50% of the wages for training completed by an internal subject matter expert. “These grants enable local businesses to improve upon their greatest asset - their employees,” said WCF President & CEO Gary Earl. “The fact that these companies are also investing their own resources into employee training indicates they understand the importance of the continued enhancement of our workforce. Our board recognizes the need to continually make our services more flexible. The new changes to the training grant program should allow even more employers the opportunity to double their training budgets.” Businesses interested in learning more about or applying for an Employed Worker Training grant can call (407) 531-1222 or visit http://www.workforcecentralflorida.com/employers/training_grants-employed.asp. WORKFORCE CENTRAL FLORIDA (WCF) is the region’s workforce expert, helping over 4,700 employers connect with more than 38,000 job seekers. WCF offers innovative solutions to assist Central Florida businesses succeed in today’s highly competitive workforce, while providing the tools job seekers need to find or advance in their current career. For more information, visit WCF online at www.WorkforceCentralFlorida.com. The NationNew job site for Vets. WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon has created a new Web site to help veterans who face difficulty returning to their old jobs or finding new ones after deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan. The program is dubbed “TurboTAP.” The Web site is www.turbotap.org. Some veterans have complained about difficulty finding new jobs or returning to their old ones after repeated or extended tours in Iraq. Deputy undersecretary of Defense Michael Dominguez says the aim is to provide a one-stop site for returning National Guardsmen and Reserve members to obtain job information, build a resume and conduct job searches. Veterans will also be able to create a customized transition plan from military to civilian life. Today's announcement comes as several government panels review ways to improve veterans care, cut red tape and reduce backlogs for veterans seeking disability benefits. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) today released the following Letter Report: Science and Technology: Information on Federal Programs and Interagency Efforts That Support Small Businesses Engaged in Manufacturing. Letter Report GAO-07-714, May 18 http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-714. Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07714high.pdf. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) released the following letter report and testimony: Women and Low-Skilled Workers: Other Countries' Policies and Practices That May Help These Workers Enter and Remain in the Labor Force. Letter Report GAO-07-817, June 14 http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-817. Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07817high.pdf. Women and Low-Skilled Workers: Efforts in Other Countries to Help These Workers Enter and Remain in the Workforce. Testimony GAO-07-989T, June 14 http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-07-989T. Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d07989thigh.pdf. NASWA Workforce Bulletin – June 15, 2007 Headlines:
Grant and Competitive Award Opportunities and NoticesFor current information, visit the External Grant Opportunities page.Featured Opportunity:‘WIN - Workplace Investment Now’ Grant Solicitation. NEW! The purpose of this solicitation is to seek grant applications from regional workforce boards for innovative, employed worker training programs that promote outcomes for employed workers such as a) job retention, b) earnings gains, and, c) career advancement for eligible employees; and that promote outcomes that allow employers to remain competitive and perhaps even expand their businesses such as, a) reducing employee turnover, b) improving productivity, and, c) upgrading skills of the existing workforce. A benefit for the economy can be job creation. ‘Eligible employees’ as used here will include the following:
‘
Targeted employees’ as used here includes groups that
normally have barriers to employment and, when they are employed,
experience difficulties retaining employment and achieving
advancement. These groups are persons with disabilities,
veterans, homeless, mature workers and the working poor.
Projects that are submitted in response to this grant solicitation
may target all employed workers but also are expected to
incorporate strategies that address one or more of these
underserved groups. ‘Employ Florida Banner Centers’ RFP. NEW! A critical component of Florida’s economic development efforts – that is the startup, expansion, retention, and recruitment of high-value businesses – is the capacity of the education and workforce systems to work as partners in order to efficiently and effectively deliver skilled workers to valued industries as needed and to provide upgrades to training as markets or technology change. The skill sets that the workforce system promotes through the training it funds must therefore be industry-driven, readily available and adaptable to ever-changing market needs. Enterprise Florida, Inc., the state’s primary economic development policy organization, and the Governor’s Office of Tourism Trade & Economic Development have identified key industries that merit special focus and attention to further grow and diversify the state’s economy. The idea of “Employ Florida Banner Centers” is to further solidify and strengthen partnerships between the business community, public and private education providers and the public workforce system to coordinate and focus on: a) curriculum development and curriculum standards; b) educational research; c) incubating spin-off business development opportunities; and, d) generating a pipeline of skilled workers – from entry level to advanced – including continuous skills upgrade training as needed by the industry. The Employ Florida Banner Centers will utilize continuing industry involvement and input to achieve the primary goal of developing skill sets for entry level and advanced jobs and also for skills upgrades for existing workers. The Employ Florida Banner Centers will function as a resource for all educational institutions in the state and will be expected to provide leadership in the on-going process of keeping Florida’s workforce competitive in the identified industries. This initiative is limited to the following industry sectors: a) information technology and b) alternative energy. WFI will accept proposals from Florida public or licensed private educational or vocational training providers ONLY. The following organizations are therefore eligible to submit proposals –
A consortium of other organizations but headed by one of the above organizations may submit a proposal. However, no other organizations may be the lead organization submitting a proposal; WFI will contract with the lead organization. . Individual awards will be limited to not more than $500,000 per project. The maximum amount that can be requested in any proposal, therefore, is $500,000. Deadline for receipt of proposals - July 27, 2007 5:00 PM, Eastern. Access the RFP at: http://www.workforceflorida.com/wages/wfi/rfp/BANNER_Center_2007-08_Final.doc. ‘Business Employment Solutions and Training for
2007-08’ - BEST III’. WFI has funded
twenty BEST projects over the last two program years. Regions
are therefore
familiar with the basic intent of this approach – a
multi-faceted, cross council approach to develop and implement
regional projects that serve youth and first-time job entrants,
persons transitioning from public assistance to meaningful
employment and the working poor, and employed workers needing
skills upgrade training to allow their employers to retain
or expand their businesses. NOTE: Although this is the third
iteration of BEST, some changes have been made due to the
new policy council structure of WFI and lessons learned from
previous BEST projects. Only regional workforce boards (RWBs)
may apply for these grants. Due date: July 18, 2007; 5:00
PM, Eastern. For the full grant solicitation go to: ‘Replication of the CHOICE Career Institute’.
The purpose of this Grant Solicitation is to seek applications
from regional workforce boards for projects that replicate
the Community High Okaloosa Academies for Career Education
(CHOICE) developed and implemented by the Okaloosa County
School District in school year 2003-04. This is Phase III
of CHOICE replication which was started under a similar grant
solicitation issued in November 2004. The principle tenets
of CHOICE are now embodied in the 2007 Florida Career and
Professional Education Act, as it was passed as Senate Bill
1232, which provides a statewide planning partnership between
business and education communities to expand and retain high-value
industry and sustain a vibrant state economy. These funds
are to help school districts implement the requirements established
in the new law. Please refer to SB 1232 for entire content
of the Florida Career and Professional Education Act. Only
regional workforce boards (RWBs) may apply for these grants.
This initiative, however, is intended to be a local, collaborative
effort between the regional workforce board and the following
mandatory partners: Upcoming Meetings, Conferences and
Events
Workforce Florida Board and Related Meetings Schedule:For up-to-date WFI board meeting info please check the calendar at the WFI website. July 18, 2007 August 22, 2007 August 23, 2007 Other Meetings/Conferences/Events:
June 23-26, 2007 July 17-19, 2007 August 22-24, 2007 Odds and EndsScholarships Available for FLSHC/FCH 2007 Joint Annual Conference. By offering scholarships, the Florida Supportive Housing Coalition and the Florida Coalition for the Homeless are striving to be able to make the conference available to those interested in attending that may not otherwise be able to do so without financial assistance. Up to 50 scholarships will be provided. These scholarships can cover the recipient’s registration and/or 2 nights of hotel accommodations. To be awarded a scholarship, the applicant must be in financial need of the scholarship and be one of the following:
To apply for the scholarship, visit http://www.flshc.net/events.htm and click, Register Online. Once you arrive on this page,
fill out the form and indicate that you would like to
receive a scholarship. SSTI Seeking Applications For Technology-Based Economic Development Awards. SSTI is now accepting applications for the first Excellence in TBED awards. The award winners will be those technology-based economic development (TBED) programs that have proved successful in improving their state’s research base, commercialization of technology, entrepreneurial culture, sources of capital, or technically trained workforce. Deadline for applications is July 20th, 2007. For more information visit: http://www.ssti.org/awards.htm. Some Thoughts about New and Old Asset-Promotion
Policies (from the Opportunity and Ownership Project at the Urban
Institute – by Robert I. Lerman June 15, 2007). Despite
a plethora of proposals for helping people build assets,
policy researchers have provided little methodological guidance
about how best to view and evaluate these policies. This
paper is an initial attempt to move in this direction, drawing
on methods for assessing income-tested and social insurance
programs and on analyses of public policies dealing with
savings, investments, and risks. It examines whether and
in what ways the traditional criteria of incentives, progressivity,
and equity apply to an assessment of asset-building policies.
Further, it discusses how to design an asset policy to deal
with the potential social dislocations arising from gentrification.
Access the full study at: NEW NCES REPORT! Numbers and Types of Public Elementary and Secondary Schools From the Common Core of Data: School Year 2005-06. This report presents national and state-level data about the number of regular, special education, vocational, alternative, and charter schools; average school size; and the numbers of schools in city, suburban, town, and rural locations. To download, view and print the publication as a PDF file, please visit: http://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=2007354. Presentations from Southern Growth’s Southern Workforce Summit Online. Southern Growth Policies Board's annual conference in St. Louis, MO June 3rd-5th, 2007, featured the release of the 2007 Report on the Future of the South, EnterpriseSouth.Biz, recommending a cultural shift in the South to an enterprise economy—an economy characterized a knowledgeable, entrepreneurial and innovative workforce. Conference presentations supported the report’s recommendations, with presenter including the Honorable William Winter, former governor of Mississippi, Deborah Russell of AARP and Marc Tucker from the National Center on Education and the Economy. View presentations from the conference online at: http://www.southern.org/conference/2007conference/presentations.shtml. Report Offers Glimpse of Farmshoring: Linking Rural & Urban
Economies (from SOUTHERN COMPASS -- JUNE 12, 2007.) A new
report from Virginia Tech looks at the potential for what
it calls “farmshoring,” or domestic, rather than
overseas, outsourcing to low-cost communities. The report
calls on economic developers to take on new roles as matchmakers,
connecting firms in urban areas with lower-cost rural communities
within the state. “A broader statewide conversation
on urban-rural economic linkages must begin in order to develop
leadership capacity on the issues involved,” the report
emphasizes. Download Farmshoring in Virginia at: http://www.econdev.vt.edu/clients_projects/Farmshoring_in_ Quote for the Week:“Study the past if you would define the future.” Confucius |
